Doctors still failing to meet hand-washing targets

Scottish hospital doctors have been criticised after new figures showed they are still failing to meet hand-washing targets.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said more could be done to address the issue despite statistics showing an overall improvement in hand hygiene.

Infections in hospitals cost lives. As senior medical professionals, doctors should be setting an example

The latest figures showed the compliance rate for hand hygiene in hospitals had increased to 94 per cent among all workers.

But the rate varied among staff groups, with doctors the worst offenders.

The latest hand hygiene audit showed the compliance rate for doctors was at 86 per cent, lower than the target of 90 per cent.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said: “I am concerned that doctors are still lagging behind when it comes to washing their hands. There is simply no excuse for this, particularly given the high profile hygiene drive after the swine flu outbreak.

“Infections in hospitals cost lives. As senior medical professionals, doctors should be setting an example for other health workers to follow.”

Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, radiographers and podiatrists, had the best compliance rate at 96 per cent.

Nursing staff were at 95 per cent, while ancillary staff such as porters and cleaners were at 94 per cent.

Last January Ms Sturgeon declared “zero tolerance” of staff who did not wash their hands.

Minister of state for health Steve Barclay has been appointed Brexit secretary today, in the wake of a string of resignations to hit the government as Theresa May unveiled her Brexit withdrawl deal with the European Union.